SurvivalIsts? (Come On~!)

Survivalists?

Over the past 10-15 years I have belonged to various survival related groups and forums. They range from small groups, to the large commercially designed websites; however, all of them share a commonality…

Their membership includes a very high number of people that have absolutely no clue as to what they’re doing.

Take for example the type of “survivalist” that spend his time preparing a Bug Out Bag with all sorts of electronic gizmo’s. Things such as thermal heat imaging scanners, night vision goggles, infrared illuminators, GPS Devices, Solar Chargers, expensive military gear, as well as three handguns, a shotgun, a high power rifle, and an assault rifle, as well as a thousand round of ammunition for all those weapons.-and two power bars for food.

One individual actually posted pictures of his “Locksmith” tools. The tools he intends to use to break into people’s cars and home during a crisis. It also included a grappling hook and rope system, wires and alligator clips to defeat alarms systems, and a few rare earth magnets to get around high end security systems.

Another suggested that everyone carry caltrops, to prevent some homeowners (barefoot) from being able to chase him, in case he’s caught breaking into someone’s home. He went on to post a recipe for making the caltrops poisonous with everyday household chemicals. He also, as an afterthought, reminded everyone to carry drinking straws so that they could “breath” in water filled ditches. – I’m thinking that he’s probably watched “one to many” Ninja Killer movies, and forgot his medication…

These three particular people represent a large cross section of survivalist that frequent various groups. It’s what is becoming the standard these days, and it’s utterly sad. What’s even worse, is that (some) of the smaller the group owners, desperate for membership, allow these people to continue to post these criminal suggestions.

Some recent posting that I have laughed at:

“__I’m going to live on a raft constructed of steel drums and a wood platform. I will float wherever the current takes me, and come into shore only when necessary for resupply__”
I I understood this guy correctly, he was going to built a “Huck Finn” type raft, and float down the Mississippi River to the Ocean, and then paddle his way to Mexico, someplace. Right Budro-That’s a goooood plan, fer sure, fer sure..

“__I don’t want a retreat. It’s better to sneak around in the woods living off the land. It will be fun, and better than being locked down at one location__”
Another typical post on one of the many website forums. Makes me wonder about these people.

“__We will drive around on our dirt bikes during TEOTWAWKI, and just take whatever we need from abandoned houses__”
_And you will get gasoline from where? And you’re going to be quiet and not attract unwelcome attention how?



As you can see, the survival plans range from the crazy, to the absolutely utterly beyond stupid. Personally, I think some of the guys didn’t get the chance to play GI Joe enough when they were children; either that, or they are just plain whacko! Others have more money and time on their hand, than they have common sense.

People seem to be infatuated with buying guns and gear, and electronic gadgets. Hey-I love gadgets, but the fact is that technology will fail you when you start counting on it. Batteries need recharged, and some of the high end night vision gear requires hard to find / expensive batteries. Older night vision gear, like the one’s from Russia and Bulgaria, have inferior tubes that quickly burn out, and use batteries that cannot be recharged. In all, their lifespan isn’t worth the investment of money, or pack weight.

Thermal Heat Imaging Systems, the hand held type are a great tool for the retreat, but do you really want to carry around a $3,000 dollar dev

[edit on 5-10-2009 by AlaskaFranke]

frank you need to upload your photo to a website like www.tinypic.com from your own personal computer files in order for us to see the picture. We can't see the picture otherwise.

The guy on the boat made me chuckle, I can actually imagine someone doing that at sea and thinking "at least I got plenty of drinking water."

Being the guy that you might be talking about regarding magnets,

neodymium magnet/ This item might not seem too important, but you can defeat a lot of security systems with a few of these. You can also use them as a makeshift compass

I admit, that's a bit far fetched, but I carry them around with me on a regular basis.
I have used them for just that though. Not really to break into anything mind you, but to bypass a few things or another for various reasons at work.
Defeated door alarms, and compactor switches, as well as to get into someones car that locked their keys inside.
I would like to point out that I never mentioned "HIGH END".
Ever drop your keys down a sewer grate? Those magnets are invaluable for that.

Ok, that aside, I have always advocated skill and awareness above all else.
Sure the talk of the gear and the individual experiences is cool and fun, but that's why we are all here. If we can't talk about what we do know and share information with one another, then what the hell are we doing here?



This comment sums up my philosphy.

Originally posted by reticledc
reply to post by getreadyalready

 

I have always felt that multi tools were extemporaneous.
I have on in my Go Bag, but I also have the actual tools to match.
A standard pair of Pliers, and a multi screwdriver.
Nothing beats the grip of a real pair of pliers.
Nothing grabs a screw like a real screwdriver.

As far as the $1000.00 goes.........

I would not spend a penny of it on anything.
Why?
Because survival is all about learning how to use what you have to your advantage.
While money can buy you what you need and that fits into that thought, it's easy to just buy what you need.

If you know how to acquire or manufacture what you need, you are ahead of the game.
All the money in the world would not buy that knowledge for you.

Practically speaking, though, it's great to have that advantage of money to spend.
I would buy a lot of what the others have posted. No need to reiterate.

link



I do respect your opinion though, and you got some cast iron marbles posting it.
Everyone can use a good reality check once in a while.

star* and flag~


[edit on 10/5/2009 by reticledc]

Why are you wasting hardrive space with this thread ?

Yes there are people that think they live in the matrix (A movie) ,and are the spawn of Tom Clancy,and their invincible because they play COD 4 and reset when they die.

Why don't you start a thread on cold weather survival instead ?

When they die ,take their gear ,and give it the kids to play with.

Ninja's are real you know.


If your the MOD that moved this to survival ....
Can you move this to RANT where it belongs ?

[edit on 5-10-2009 by The Utopian Penguin]

reply to post by AlaskaFranke


Sheesh. Did Gunkid finally make it out of prison??? (inside joke. You can look him up)

... One individual actually posted pictures of his “Locksmith” tools.
.. Another suggested that everyone carry caltrops
...

Anyone that follows their "advise" is dead.

But I have to say that I think everyone makes the mistake of overloading their BOB with crap. I know I did. It's a learning process. Some learn quickly (like when they try and wear their BOB and cannot even put it on much less travel anywhere). Ammo is HEAVY!

One things for sure and that is they are not survivalists. They are fatally deluded if not actual criminals just begging to be shot.

reply to post by jvm222


Oh-Okay, This is my first real post to ATS, since I had to pay my dues for twenty of them... HEH HEH

reply to post by The Utopian Penguin


Can I get An Ah'men Oh Lord. No words were every truer said...

I agree, lets split All their expensive gear ...

reply to post by AlaskaFranke


My survival gear will not fit in a bag, It is draft horses, the hunting club and 100 ac of farmland and my neighbors. And oh yes the backhoe

Well; you could hitch the horsed to the backhoe, and ride around the 100 acres prtecting the property with yer' whip and strong voice.



reply to post by crimvelvet

Originally posted by AlaskaFranke

“__I don’t want a retreat. It’s better to sneak around in the woods living off the land. It will be fun, and better than being locked down at one location__”

This one made me laugh. Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in the mountains during the winter will tell you this guy is dead in a week or less, probably less..... If he starts in the summer he is probably dead equally as quickly.

Many people don't understand how treacherous the wild can really be. Take Chris McCandless. He had food and died of starvation anyway because he didn't get enough calories. He killed a moose and the meat spoiled (which was all his fault btw). He didn't know what he was getting himself into. Most people have no clue what becoming wild again really means.

reply to post by AlaskaFranke

One individual actually posted pictures of his “Locksmith” tools

I love your thread, and it is comical sometimes, but "Locksmith" tools are actually a great idea. I have a small set in my bag, and I have practiced with them to be sure I know how to use them.

Several SitX scenarios would have you as a lone survivor or a small group in a barren wasteland. Locksmith tools could come in very handy to access resources from abandoned buildings, or provide a passway through locked corridors, drainage ditches, etc.

You quotes several people that seemed to intend on using these tools to "steal" supplies from people's homes, and I don't think those people will last very long! I hope they try my house early on, because their fate will be quickly sealed! Otherwise, a small lockpick set is a vital piece of my BOB!

Yeah i kinda know what you mean... to be honest I ignore most of the post's in the survival areas.

In fairness though, most of the survival posts here on ATS are ok... it’s just that I find them going over the same ground again and again. I think this subject, for me, is wearing a bit thin... I have a pretty good idea on how to "survive" and do not need advice on the latest night vision goggles or what heat seeking RPG to load into my BOB!!

So... I stay away from topics unless they interest me and try not to get frustrated at repeat posts (I forget how many "edible wild plants" and "best Weapon for survival" threads I’ve seen over the years) after all... it may be old news to me but to someone just gaining an interest in this subject it is all new

There is also a large section of this community which I believe are more to do with fantasy survival than real survival.

Don’t mean to rain of anyone’s parade but the chance of a Zombie outbreak is VERY rare

That’s not to say i don’t love Zombie flicks/books... just realistic enough to not waste time discussing it as if it is a real threat.

But that’s just my opinion... i aint gonna bust into someone’s thread and yell "your all nuts zombies aint real"

Let people have their fun dude

Oh... final thing... if you really want to talk about sensible issues, regarding survival, then look for a good Bush Craft forum. Normally much more level headed than the sometimes overly paranoid gun toting zombie dodging “survivalists”

Yep-he was another victim of Alaska, and NOt having a good plan. people seem to be flocking to "The Bus" in droves to check out where I perished. kind of weird I think...

Here's a diffrent guy. he became an Alaska Legend:
en.wikipedia.org...
Look him up and you can find some nice videos of his life. he stayed at that cabin until he was 89 years old. BUT he still had to be resupplied by friends every few months. It goes to show, that even under the best situations, one still needs outside help to , Just get by every day---

****

Many people don't understand how treacherous the wild can really be. Take Chris McCandless. He had food and died of starvation anyway because he didn't get enough calories. He killed a moose and the meat spoiled (which was all his fault btw). He didn't know what he was getting himself into. Most people have no clue what becoming wild again really means.

I have a small night vision scope but it does not need batteries its one the you squeeze to charge. 2x Stargate Self-Powered Night Vision Scope.
This is all that is needed for spotting idiots with flashlight in the distances or people smoking miles away

One individual actually posted pictures of his “Locksmith” tools. The tools he intends to use to break into people’s cars and home during a crisis. It also included a grappling hook and rope system, wires and alligator clips to defeat alarms systems, and a few rare earth magnets to get around high end security systems.

In a major SitX who is going to respond to a alarm anyway.
he should have got a bullet proof vest in case some homeowner shot at him.
As for locksmith tools who will need them a 12 pound hammer will bust most doors

This is one of the reason the few survivalist use the term survivalist group.

This sounds like a skinhead or drug head playing survivalist.

In a SitX where things are real bad (large numbers dead or gone)I will raid abandoned houses for what i need because they will get cleaned out any way. but in most cases i will go after the government infrastructure for supplies.
Here in Calif the wildfires will go uncontrolled and wipe out major areas of the state so salvage of abandoned home for usable items is going to be a good idea. At least i want to try to reduce the number of weapons in these homes that can be used against me.
During a major SitX if a fire got started in the hills around LA Calif during a Santa Ana wind event it would burn to the sea without any way to stop it.
and there area many areas around calif with the same conditions.
Hopefully the fires will take out many of these so called survivalist as it passes through.

Originally posted by AlaskaFranke
reply to post by The Utopian Penguin

 

Can I get An Ah'men Oh Lord. No words were every truer said...

I agree, lets split All their expensive gear ...

I don't need it.

I doubt very much people are going to be wandering around freely in a urban environment with weapons of any kind and the lockpick crew don't have a clue whats on the other side of the door,except for their parents basement. If you don't have A defined place to go,you mostly dead or on the way.If your there already,most of your problems solved.

The dogs don't bark until I tell them to.If the neighbors hear the dogs barking their laughing about it.

[edit on 5-10-2009 by The Utopian Penguin]

I posted a topic in the survival forum entitled Absolute minimum.
AlaskaFranke, I would love some ideas from you.
A lot of people do have no idea what they are doing, so any relevant tips would greatly be appreciated. I know you have posted about your gear, but lets talk about the average Joe.
What can the average Joe/Jane do to get by, should they find themselves in a bad spot?
I am not being sarcastic, in case you feel I am. I really would like your input.
Have at it.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by AlaskaFranke

Well; you could hitch the horsed to the backhoe, and ride around the 100 acres prtecting the property with yer' whip and strong voice.

I was thinking more of the bridges... I sure like the idea of being surrounded by deep gullies and water and no easy way across it if TSHTF... Just need the Gator crossing signs to scare the @#$# out of the city slickers

You mean I've been watching Les on TV for nuthin?

reply to post by idle_rocker


Gilligan's Island ...Three season's chock full of survival tips.
(avoid Gilligan at all costs)

Third Rock From The Sun ....6 season's of Urban survival in A hostile Alien environment.

oh ... and Jericho.